Sports swinging exercise device and method

Abstract

A method and a device are disclosed for improving performance in sports where a swinging motion is needed. In some embodiments, a swing resistance device may be attached to or be built into elongated sport apparatus, such as racquets, clubs, bats, sticks, and the like, configured to resist a swinging motion of the sport apparatus by capturing air and utilizing a force of air resistance, similar to a parachute. The swing resistance device is generally attached to the elongated sport apparatus by coupling components, such as bearings, that allow the swing resistance device to freely rotate around the effective longitudinal axis of the elongated sport apparatus. During a swing, air resistance creates dynamic forces that over time may improve swing power and path.

1 . An exercise device for swing sports, the exercise device comprising:
 a swing resistance surface having a first end and a second end; and   a first coupling component rotatably coupled to the first end and a second coupling component rotatably coupled to the second end, wherein the first coupling component and the second coupling component are configured to attach to an elongated swing sport apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first stiffener element coupled to the first end and a second stiffener element coupled to the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first coupling link connected between the first coupling component and the first end and a second coupling link connected between the second coupling component and the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 3 , wherein the first coupling link and the second coupling link comprise clips of a first and a second bearing, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 3 , wherein the first coupling link and the second coupling link comprise rigid wires. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the swing resistance surface is a membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and the second coupling components comprises a bearing. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 7 , wherein the bearing is configured to rotate 360° about a shaft of the elongated swing sport apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise device for swing sports, the exercise device comprising:
 a swing resistance surface; and   a coupling component rotatably coupled to the swing resistance surface, wherein the coupling component is configured to attach to a shaft of an elongated swing sport apparatus, and further configured to allow the swing resistance surface to freely rotate about the elongated swing sport apparatus.   
     
     
         10 . The elongated swing sport apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a first stiffener element coupled to a first end of the swing resistance surface and a second stiffener element coupled to a second end of the swing resistance surface. 
     
     
         11 . The elongated swing sport apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a coupling link connected between the coupling component and the swing resistance surface. 
     
     
         12 . The elongated swing sport apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the coupling component comprises a bearing. 
     
     
         13 . The elongated swing sport apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the bearing is configured to provide a rotation path for the swing resistance surface to rotate about the shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The elongated swing sport apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the bearing comprises one of a ball bearing, a journal bearing, and a bushing. 
     
     
         15 . The elongated swing sport apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the elongated swing sport apparatus is selected from a set of a tennis racquet, a golf club, a baseball bat, and a hockey stick. 
     
     
         16 . A method of improving a swinging of an elongated swing sport apparatus, the method comprising:
 swinging the elongated swing sport apparatus having a swing resistance device coupled therewith, wherein the swing resistance device comprises a swing resistance surface coupled with a coupling component rotatably coupled with the elongated swing sport apparatus, and wherein the swing resistance surface rotates about a longitudinal axis of the elongated swing sport apparatus in response to the swinging of the elongated swing sport apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising attaching the swing resistance device to a shaft section of the elongated swing sport apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein swinging the elongated swing sport apparatus comprises swinging a tennis racquet, a golf club, a baseball bat, or a hockey stick. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein swinging the elongated swing sport apparatus comprises swinging the elongated swing sport apparatus with sufficient speed and force to generate a substantial drag force on the elongated swing sport apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein swinging the elongated swing sport apparatus comprises swinging the elongated swing sport apparatus with both arms of a player.